Full Day Tour

Boundless beauty

If you want to leave behind the concrete of the city by diving into the green you can realize what the essence of this large area extended in a semicircle along the southwestern perimeter of the province of Milan is.   Farmsteads for the direct sale of agricultural products, agritourisms, historic building complexes, the Navigli. A varied agricultural and historical picture.Included in this definition is the enhancement and redevelopment of agricultural areas, and it is from here that one can learn about the area's potential for out-of-town trips to Milan and Lombardy.A protected area that today is at the center of a major transformation aimed at making it a day to remember. - Cover image: parcoagricolosudmilano.it

Commissioned by Duke Filippo Maria Visconti, the nearly 19-km-long Naviglio di Bereguardo was created for irrigation purposes and as a transport route for goods that were to arrive from Pavia via the Naviglio Grande to the Darsena in Milan. Among these the most usual were salt from the Adriatic, firewood from Ticino, and cereals and wines from Oltrepò.The historical peculiarity of this waterway are the basins present, among which to be mentioned is the one called the Abbey. Many consider it to be the first lock in the world that came into operation on an artificial canal. These hydraulic works, the pride of Lombard ingenuity but costly to maintain, were studied and designed by Leonardo in his codices. Again according to the vincian genius, the Lombards with this system could take boats even to the Alps.

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Cultural itinerary in middle Valtellina

Malga Salina, just above Incudine, is the start of one of the most stunning trails through the middle Valle Camonica: the trail up to the Grom Lakes. The hike takes you through meadows, stone quarries and woods at high altitudes, up to the silent green waters of these glacier lakes.   You come to the first after about an hour and a half's walk, at 2,340 metres: a lake surrounded by rocks and meadows, reflecting the peaks all around. From here, if you have the energy, you can continue along a more difficult path up to the second lake, a little higher up, and just under two hours away from the starting point. Both lakes are striking because of the deep colour of their waters, which change with the light during the day, creating different, ever more stunning scenery. The route is not just about panoramic views: it is also an opportunity to meet alpine wildlife. You may see the golden eagles in flight over the glacial cirques or glimpse the chamois or ibex deer that move among the rocks. Lower down, birds such as choughs or kestrels may join you on your walks. With its 340 metres of height difference, the path to the Grom Lakes is accessible to anyone with a minimum of familiarity with mountain walks, although the higher sections are more exposed. Once there, however, your effort is more than repaid as you contemplate an unspoiled corner that tells you the long history of the glaciers that modelled these valleys.  

Every stone tells a story from a different period at Castello di Breno. A short walk from the centre of the village will take you to the walls of the fortress, which has looked out over the Valle Camonica for centuries. On the ascent, you will enjoy panoramic views that prepare you for the wonder that awaits you at the top.    The castle preserves traces of ancient history, from the fort of the early mediaeval period to the elegant conglomeration of tower-houses and palazzos, a mix of buildings dating back to between the 12th and 16th centuries. Walking around the crenellated walls, the courtyard and the towers, it is possible to feel the evolution of a place built century by century, and where every building has a different purpose and history. The openings in the wall once served to watch over the valley, while views of the towers convey something of the daily life and strategic function of the stronghold. Sights not to be missed include: the mediaeval church of San Michele, the oldest monument in Breno; the two-storey, noble tower house, and the 20-metre tower (open to visitors), with stunning views that cover the whole valley.  Every corner tells a story of the ladies, knights, servants and craftsmen, soldiers and lords who lived here, and whose presence continues to live on in the courtyards. Today, Castello di Breno is still a place of fun and culture: the large green spaces offer quiet spots for relaxation, while musical events, historic re-enactments, and archery competitions all bring the area to life. Visiting the castle is an opportunity to admire panoramic views in an experience that combines nature with culture, for a first-hand experience of local history.    

A few kilometres from Ponte di Legno, a mildly sloping path takes you up to the little alpine village of Case di Viso, at an altitude of 1,753 metres in Valle di Viso. The village has maintained its relatively isolated position through the centuries, with links to agriculture and livestock farming. It has adapted to the arrival of tourism, without losing its traditional character.   Your arrival is accompanied by panoramic views, where the peaks of the Ortles-Cevedale and Adamello mountains frame the scene. The name Viso, in fact, also refers to the privileged position of the village, overlooking a unique landscape that embraces the whole valley.  The first houses in Case di Viso date back to the Middle Ages, wood and stone huts overlooking the stream that flows through the meadows and clearings, preserving all the charm of the traditional mountain communities, offering a rare example of rural alpine architecture. Case di Viso is also a place of memory. During the Second World War, its position did not spare it from Nazi reprisals, and now the village stands as testament to resilience and to the courage of its inhabitants. Around the village, conifer woods, meadows and mountains create a landscape that lights up with the warm colours of the chestnut trees and larches in autumn, accompanied by the flowing waters, with rustling leaves to be felt at every step.  It is the starting point for walks of varying difficulty to explore the Adamello national park, with sections like Piana di Ercavallo or the mountain lake, which are ideal for trekking, cycling, mountaineering, and skiing. And after your excursion, you can stop in a refuge to enjoy the flavours of the mountain cuisine: steaming hot polenta, local cheeses and charcuterie that reflect the Valle Camonica through its food.  Case di Viso brings together history, tradition and nature, in an authentic village, where every view has a story to tell and every season means different emotions.   

The Village of Varenna is divided into a grid of streets that steeply slope down towards Lake Como.

Confienza, an eminently rural town in Lomellina, nestled between the provinces of Novara and Vercelli and administratively part of the Province of Pavia, was originally a simple "Roman pagus" village. It was once called "Confluentia" due to the confluence of two rivers. This is reflected in the town's current coat of arms, which features two fish entwined with dragon heads spouting water into a river. At the far end, guarding about a third of the town towards Robbio, stands the Chiesuola... a true gem of Gothic architecture. Its ribbed vaults reaching up to the sky, the pointed windows through which mystical light pours, and the white Carrara marble altar make it an artistically harmonious complex that inspires reflection. On the wall of the small choir, a magnificent fresco appears, thought to be from Lanino or at least his school. It is the church of the Carmelite Sisters, the small church that gathers a good portion of the population during the busiest months, away from the main parish. Find it on Google Maps